much delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been significantly postponed or is late. Example: "The project was much delayed due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

His trial, much delayed, should begin next year.

The Economist

Much delayed Valentine-themed romcom that's already been a big hit in South Korea.

The Guardian - Film

But this is also an excellent walk for this year's much delayed spring.

Independent

Mr. Heins reiterated that the BlackBerry 10 phones were on schedule for their much delayed introduction.

The New York Times

The banks are poorly regulated and prone to collapse; privatisation has been much delayed.

The Economist

Otherwise germination fails or is much delayed, with the early growth of the seedling often abnormal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The much-delayed report is still delayed.

The Guardian - Business

Then it's on to the much-delayed second Wolverine movie.

The Guardian - Film

They back the team's case for its much-delayed ballpark.

The New York Times

On the film's much-delayed nationwide release, it was denounced by the church.

The Guardian - Film

Days before a much-delayed court hearing, all charges have been dropped.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much delayed", consider the context and whether a more specific adjective might better convey the degree or reason for the delay. For instance, use "repeatedly delayed" to emphasize recurrence or "unexpectedly delayed" to highlight surprise.

Common error

Avoid pairing "much delayed" with weak verbs like "is" or "was" without adding context. Instead of "The project was much delayed", try "The project was much delayed due to unforeseen circumstances" to provide more information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much delayed" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a noun, indicating that the noun has experienced a significant postponement. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying words like "trial", "introduction", and "spring".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much delayed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes something significantly postponed. As shown by Ludwig, it's most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts. While acceptable in various registers, ensure it's paired with strong verbs and provides adequate context for clarity. Consider using alternative phrases like "significantly postponed" or "long overdue" to add nuance. Avoid overuse and always aim for specific descriptions to improve writing effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both correct and useful in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly postponed

Focuses on the act of postponing something to a significant extent.

considerably overdue

Highlights that something has passed its expected or original deadline by a large margin.

long overdue

Emphasizes that something should have happened or been done a long time ago.

greatly protracted

Implies the duration of something has been extended substantially.

extensively adjourned

Indicates a series of postponements or a single long postponement of a meeting or session.

severely held up

Suggests something has been significantly impeded or prevented from progressing.

heavily impeded

Highlights the significant hindrance or obstruction of progress.

substantially hindered

Similar to 'heavily impeded', emphasizing the major obstruction.

remarkably late

Emphasizes the unexpected or noteworthy lateness of something.

appreciably deferred

Indicates a noticeable or measurable postponement.

FAQs

How can I use "much delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "much delayed" to describe events, projects, or decisions that have been postponed significantly. For example, "The "much delayed" report was finally released last week."

What are some alternatives to saying "much delayed"?

Alternatives include "significantly postponed", "long overdue", or "considerably overdue" depending on the context.

Is "much delayed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "much delayed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something that has been significantly postponed.

What's the difference between "much delayed" and "long overdue"?

"Much delayed" simply indicates that something has been postponed considerably. "Long overdue"/"long overdue" emphasizes that something should have happened a long time ago and is now late.